During this historic celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, it is a fitting time to reflect on the lives of those who came before us and the ways they shaped our shared history. Too often, the story of our country focuses on the strong and the powerful. Yet, it is often ordinary people from humble beginnings who have created meaningful change.
Sherrie Tolliver of Women in History Ohio presents a compelling “Living History” portrayal of one such individual. Her program offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of Betsey Stockton, a woman whose extraordinary journey carried her from the confines of slavery to the mission field in Hawaii.
Tolliver, a Cleveland native, has spent 40 years as an actor, writer, director, stand-up comic and historical interpreter, performing around the world. She continues a family tradition rooted in music, theater, history and social justice. Her stage credits include productions with Cleveland Play House, Karamu Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Ensemble Theatre and the JCC Halle Theatre.
In 2010, Cleveland Magazine named Tolliver one of the city’s Most Interesting People for her work as a cultural history interpreter with Cleveland Metroparks, particularly her Landmarks and Legacies tours of Cleveland’s historic Catholic churches. She holds a bachelor’s degree in acting from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, with a minor in African American history.
